Loomis, Harvey Worthington

1865

American composer, whose best work lies in his songs. Was born in Brooklyn. He attended the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institution and was awarded the free scholarship by Dr. Anton Dvorak. He studied music at the National Conservatory, also piano under Mme. Madeline Schiller. He won a prize from the Musical Record in 1899  for his piano composition, A Hungarian Rhapsody. His musical pantomimes have been very popular in New York since 1896: Put to the Test, The Traitor Mandolin, In Old New Amsterdam, Love and Witchcraft, The Enchanted Fountain, and Blanc et Noir; four comic operas, The Maid of Athens, The Burglar's Bride, Going Up! and The Bey of Baba; a grand opera, La Canzone Fatale. He has also composed chamber-music and music for dramatic productions, as, The Tragedy of Death, The Coming of the Prince, etc. Sandalphon is a musically accompanied recitation. He has also written Lyrics of the Red Man, Lectures on Indian Music, and he is a contributor to musical journals. He has done much work in the line of music for children, including school and kindergarten music. Partsongs and accompaniments are a special feature. Fairy Hill is a cantata for children, and After the Lesson is composed of twenty-four miniature piano duets. His opera, The Traitor Mandolin, recently had its initial appearance in Italy.